An Oklahoma district court found NextEra Energy liable for violating state laws during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. An Osage County District Court judge granted a partial summary judgment against the company. The judge ruled NextEra violated both the Emergency Price Stabilization Act and the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act by manipulating natural gas prices during the storm.
The ruling marks a victory for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Drummond has pursued legal action against several energy marketers for alleged price gouging during the extreme weather event. This decision follows a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruling that declined NextEra's request to move the case's jurisdiction from state to federal court.
NextEra had argued its wholesale natural gas sales fell under federal jurisdiction. The state court judge rejected this claim. The case will now proceed to determine damages and financial restitution NextEra may pay for the overcharges.